Short assessments of lab-oriented learning and application

Jim McDougall
,
Tacoma Community College

These are short sets of questions directed at use of methods and more general applications of lab and field learning exercises, e.g. sampling, descriptions of samples, etc. These questions were given as a short writing exercise at the beginning of class (5-10 min.) about one month apart during the term.

What learning is this evaluation activity designed to assess?

These exercises are designed to be formative, directed attention toward techniques to be applied and assessing their impact.

What is the nature of the teaching/learning situation for which your evaluation has been designed?

We have used these in conjuction with lab and field activities, however, they can be posed as questions in most any classroom situation during the term.

What advice would you give others using this evaluation?

These instruments are intended to be modified by others and improved. While I did not ask participants put their name on their work, those that did helped me considerably in tracking notable changes and in effect "assessment" of learning.

Are there particular things about this evaluation that you would like to discuss with the workshop participants? Particular aspects on which you would like feedback?

I am particularly interested in using the results in a more concerted way without homogenizing them. I am also interested in how to pose the questions. I have not been making them a course requirement, however, I try to get participants actively involved in the reasoning behind the exercises and the repeat survey.